Changes in the vegetation of Brazilian Cerrado may occur over time. However, long-term dynamics are not fully understood yet, especially woody plant encroachment (WPE). The objective of this study was to examine changes in vegetation structure in a preserved area in Triângulo Mineiro region, within the southern Brazilian Cerrado domain, over 32 years (1987, 2005, and 2019). We based the study on field and literature surveys, as well as satellite imagery, and hypothesized that, due to the absence of periodic fires or grazing, Cerrado open formations (i.e., grassland or savanna) tend to become denser due to WPE. Shrubby grassland cover assessed in 1987 disappeared in the following periods (from 30.0 % to 0.0 % in 2019) while forest formations increased (from 7.0 % in 1987 to 11.0 % in 2019). Changes between 2005 and 2019 occurred within the stricto sensu cerrado subdivisions, with reduction of sparse cerrado (from 34.2 % to 7.7 %) and an increase in dense cerrado (from 6.9 % to 39.8 %). Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) applied for similar periods indicates a progressive increase of values over time (from 1986 (0.61±0.10) to 2004 (0.65±0.06) and 2018 (0.78±0.05)) and corroborates the WPE process. These patterns imply the loss of biodiversity in open plant formation. Another major consequence was the reduction of wetlands and possible impact on water supply. Such patterns are important to support plant management plans for the threatened Cerrado open plant formations.

中文翻译：

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塞拉多植被结构的变化：从超过三十年的生态演替中获得的见解

随着时间的流逝，巴西塞拉多的植被可能发生变化。但是，长期动态尚不完全清楚，特别是木本植物侵害（WPE）。这项研究的目的是研究巴西塞拉多南部地区TriânguloMineiro地区保护区32年（1987年，2005年和2019年）的植被结构变化。我们基于田野调查和文献调查以及卫星图像进行了研究，并假设由于没有定期起火或放牧，塞拉多的裸露地层（如草原或热带稀树草原）由于WPE的缘故而变得更致密。1987年评估的灌木丛在随后的时期内消失了（从30.0％增至2019年的0.0％），而森林的形成却增加了（从1987年的7.0％增至2019年的11.0％）。2005年至2019年之间的变化发生在严格的感官塞拉多细分中，稀疏塞拉多从34.2％减少到7.7％，密集塞拉多从6.9％增加到39.8％。应用于相似时期的归一化植被指数（NDVI）表示值随时间逐渐增加（从1986年开始，0.61±0.10）至2004（0.65±0.06）和2018（0.78±0.05）），并证实了WPE流程。这些模式暗示着开放植物形成过程中生物多样性的丧失。另一个主要后果是减少湿地，并可能对供水产生影响。这种模式对于支持受威胁的Cerrado露天工厂结构的工厂管理计划很重要。